On his radio show Saturday Helman mentioned how there was a proposal for a new basketball arena based on tearing down Brooks Gym except for the front- which would continue to be the entrance- and a new 5,500 seat gym would be built.
He mentioned how it would not be the sort of arena that could house other events, but it would be the sort of arena that ETSU could fill up easily.
"What would it be like for home field advantage to have 5,500 people on top of you cheering for the Bucs?"
My answer- I know at Memorial Center the Bucs had a long, long winning streak during the DeChellis era, that even bad teams beat Virginia Tech and Chattanooga there (which would be all the sort of opponent one could get to come in to the arena as an opponent with 5,500 seats), and it wouldn't be as much of a home court advantage as it was when 12,000 fans were there to root for ETSU against NC State.
The reasons we are told that softball stadiums and soccer stadiums are being constructed first is because they will help create momentum for other facilities that better fit the public.
But a 5,500 seat arena won't fit the public. It will be another Freedom Hall- not big enough to bring in the caliber of concerts the area once did- not big enough to bring in good basketball opponents for the Bucs- and presumably not large enough for hockey, Arena Football, etc.
If there is ONE THING this area does not need, it is a another 5,500 seat arena.
And by the way, do you think an arena that would rank seventh in seating capacity in the Southern Conference (eighth if you count Bi-Lo Center as Furman's arena) and third in the A-Sun would be enough to get ETSU into a better conference, which is hinted at as to why softball and soccer facilities are built first.
Just move to Freedom Hall if that's what you want and get on with the business of raising money for football.
I certainly hope this is not true. Not a good idea!
I knew it! I've been saying this is the plan ever since we dropped football.
that would be a very dumb move. While I dont share Pitt's delusion about hockey or arena football, I do think a larger facility not including ANY of brooks gym is needed for concerts, etc.
Plus, hopefully someday we will have a good enough team to get more than 5,500 people in there.
We need something similar to the round house only with a bit more class.
and if we can't afford it....then keep the dome
Goldfinger Wrote:We need something similar to the round house only with a bit more class.
and if we can't afford it....then keep the dome
I wholeheartedly agree. I was thoroughly unimpressed with Charleston's new facility. It was around 5,000 seats and seemed like an upscale D2 facility.
Agreed. MINIMUM 6k, or nothing. Preferably 7k to 8k seats.
I would say minimum 8 with a max of 11 to 12
But it also has to be a unique and interesting design. Not another prefabricated stadium like everyone else. Otherwise there is NO reason to replace the dome.
Steal the plans for Cameron Indoor (and put the students on the sideline).
I think the reason they are shooing for this 5,500 seat arena, is they found out that its going to take them around 50 million to do a new arena right instead of the 30 million they were thinking. I doubt ETSU could raise that much for an arena. We all know how ETSU screws up things. I heard they could do this 5,500 seat arena for around 12 million and could get half of that from a couple of big donors.
And lets be honest. We have only LEGITIMATELY had over 5,500 twice since 1993. That was UTC and either App or Elon in 2004.
I'm kind of blah on this....I just hope we arent playing in the dome in 15 years.
Quote:and it wouldn't be as much of a home court advantage as it was when 12,000 fans were there to root for ETSU against NC State[
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I agree. Except that we cant get over 5,500 now anyways, with that BS fire marshal code.
I kinda like the idea IF IF IF IF IF......it's more like 7,000, and more or less completely replaces Brooks. The site is impossible to beat. 7-8,000 is about right. The road behind Brooks would probably have to be diverted, or something. As they say, "the devil is in the details".
etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:Steal the plans for Cameron Indoor (and put the students on the sideline).
Yes, I would love to see a modern take on a great old basketball palace sitting on campus. A cool venue like Cameron Indoor, The Palestra, or even old Stokely Center.
Keep the fans close, keep the students
closer, and put suites for the suits around the top.
The new convocation center under construction at UVa-Wise will seat around 4,000 (3000 for basketball games). Folks that's how far the Bucs have fallen, consideration of an NAIA sized facility. A 14-15,000 student university with athletic facilities that are no better than a 2,000 student NAIA school. Thank goodness for the visionary folks at UVa-Wise, they know what it takes to move their athletic department forward.
Link to UVa-Wise press release:
http://www.uvawise.edu/college_relations...enter.html
All we need is another hasty move by this administration concerning athletics. I would say refurbish Memorial Gym someday for volleyball, swimming, basketball practices and intramural use but not for a new arena. You can almost reach out and touch Sam Wilson Hall (business building) from Memorial Gym right now--very little space for expansion to either side or back.
I am glad to hear talk about a new basketball arena. But first, get feedback from the community, alumni, and current students. Come up with some plans and start the fundraising process. You just never know what could happen.
With past experiences, I think I would just as soon wait until an administrative change to do this. I have no confidence that this administration can get it done right and would be hesitant to give them money for such a project.
I like some of the ideas that have been put up about a new facility aroung 8 to 10K. The 5500 is entirely too small for a 14,000 student school. Hopefully that figure will grow in the future. I think it should go across the street from the Dome in front of the Education building facing State of Franklin. That way a parking garage could be constructed nearby that could handle student day parking also. Also, when we have a new President, a football stadium could be made on the other side of the parking garage. The garage could then have three purposes. Any new basketball arena should be made special-as others have said. Put the fans close to the court making a feared home court advantage. Not another standard arena like everyone else but something the fans and players will love coming to.
Agreed. An administrative change must take place before a new arena is sought after.
Well if they do build a new arena, they need to take in to account how big ETSU and the area will be 30 years from now. Why build a 5500 seat arena ?
The thing is, they don't have to pay a single nickel for a new arena if they go in with the city.
Yes, they'd have to rent such a facility (though one wonders if ETSU gave land away to the city if they couldn't work out a $1 a year rent or something and that would take care of any "it's not on campus" concerns).
A couple of questions- though.
What is great about the entrance to Brooks Gym? It's a standard looking, drab educational building that doesn't look like a sports venue in the least.
Furthermore, the entrance is awkward and was even for Lady Bucs games. If they plan on using that entrance for men's basketball it only proves what total incompetents they are.
Again, this area does not need another 5,500 seat arena.
Stanton's legacy seems to be total shortsightedness on all things not medical.
BUT BY GOLLY- WE HAVE A PHARMACY SCHOOL! SUPPORT THE PHARMACY SCHOOL! NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PHARMACY SCHOOL!
If they do away with Brooks where will UH play? Kinda sad they are going to take what is now a high school gym and try and turn it into a college arena. Plus build something that small, what is the point? I agree the parking lot across from Dome/Education building would be a good location still have plenty of parking in the area. I would like to see something around 8-9 thousand.
Since the men's team at ETSU doesn't have a problem with playing in front of 8,000 empty seats, minimum, and the women's team plays in front of 12,000 said empty seats, why would the Jr. Bucs have a problem with that?
And there's always Alexander Hall. True, I don't think it's 80 feet long and the fans would have to watch from the stage.
BUT IT'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL- so what does it matter?